Nicholas Barry

I've started ending lots of my email to my interns with "Your thoughts?"

This allows me to elicit ideas or concerns from the interns. I don't know everything, and they often think of clever things I haven't, so this allows what we do to be less limited by my own creativity and intelligence.

I'm still prepared to make the final decision, or overrule objections by the interns, but I want to hear their thoughts.

I also don't want those I manage to fall into the rut of blindly doing whatever they're assigned, without thinking creatively. I want them to think about everything we're doing, and let me know if they think up a better way of doing something.I don't believe this conveys vacillation or uncertainty on my part, though I would certainly be willing to entertain other ways to elicit the ideas of those working under me. An impression of leadership and confidence must come from more than making a few snap decisions without waiting to hear others' thoughts, and asking for the thoughts of others isn't enough to weaken a leader's image, even if the questions are misconstrued.Your thoughts? (Comment below!)